From FrequentFlier.com:

Elite-Qualifying Miles

Miles that qualify for elite status have traditionally been restricted to those miles earned by flying on the airline hosting the program and its closest airline partners, generally those co-participating in one of the major global airline alliances.

Increasingly, the exception to that rule is miles earned for charges to airline credit cards.

For example, the Continental Presidential Plus MasterCard awards 1,000 elite-qualifying miles for every $5,000 charged to the card.

The Delta Platinum credit card allows SkyMiles members to earn 20,000 elite miles annually, and the Reserve card raises that limit to 30,000 miles.

With the United Mileage Plus Select Visa card, cardholders can earn up to 5,000 elite miles per year.

And US Airways' Premier MasterCard allows cardholders to earn up to 10,000 elite miles per year.

In the hotel sphere, where elite perks are less valued, some cards linked to frequent-stay programs offer status outright. With Marriott's Visa card, for example, Rewards members get Silver elite status automatically.

InterContinental Priority Club Visa cardholders receive Gold elite status.

Silver elite membership is accorded HHonors members who hold either of the no-annual-fee Hilton-affiliated credit cards.

And so on.